From today, Microsoft will no longer issue security updates or provide support for Windows 98 and Windows ME, which could lead users to trying alternative operating systems such as Linux. Eight years after launching Windows 98, Microsoft will finally wash its hands of updating and plugging security gaps in its ageing operating system. The software giant originally planned to pull the plug in January 2004 but decided to extend support because of the increasing threat from Linux.

People using 98 are probably just going to keep on using it. The fact that MS have ended support isn't going to mean much to the people who use it, most of whom probably never even realised there was any support anyway - there not even going to know that support has ended.

The support is so expensive to use anyway (unless you live in the US and get free phone number) that I doubt many people have ever actually used the support, even if they did know about it.